Tsuruga Castle

Tsuruga Castle (鶴ヶ城), also known as Wakamatsu Castle (若松城), is a historic castle located in the city of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The castle was originally built in 1384 and underwent several reconstructions throughout history. The current structure was reconstructed in 1965 and is a modern replica of the original castle.

The castle is known for its distinctive red roof, one of the few remaining castles in Japan to have this feature. The castle features several towers and turrets, including a main tower with an observation deck that offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Tsuruga Castle played a significant role in Japanese history during the Boshin War (1868-1869), a civil war that marked the end of the feudal era in Japan. The castle was the site of the Battle of Aizu, in which samurai warriors from the Aizu domain valiantly defended the castle against the forces of the Meiji government.

Today, Tsuruga Castle is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The castle houses a museum with exhibits on the history of the castle, the Aizu domain, and the Boshin War, as well as displays of samurai armor and weapons. The adjacent Tsuruga Castle Park includes a traditional Japanese garden with a pond and a tea house, as well as a renowned cherry blossom park that is a popular destination in the spring.

Getting there

By Bus

From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station:

• Take the Aizu Loop Bus (Haikara-san or Akabe bus)
• Get off at “Tsurugajo Kitaguchi” bus stop
• Walk about 5 minutes to the castle
• Journey time: About 20 minutes

By Car

• About 15 minutes drive from Ban-etsu Aizu Wakamatsu IC exit

Details

Hours	8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Reception closes at 4:30 PM.
Admission	Adults: 410 yen Children: 150 yen
Phone	+81 242-27-4005
Address	1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0873
Official Website	https://www.tsurugajo.com/tsurugajo/